Considering the conflicts across the Middle East in recent decades—and the horrors and abuses against women Trojan Women is a cautionary tale that continues to be as relevant today as it was 2400 years ago.
Throughout history, men have fought wars. Women are subjected to rape, torture and loss of loved ones, binding wounds, mopping up the blood and stitching civilization back together.
The Trojan Women are a symbol of strength, Euripides presented important issues, issues that are still relevant today.”
Hellenic Art Theatre, under the direction of Stavros Economidis is performing this timeless tragedy at their home of 35 years at the Addison Road Community Centre.
Set in the aftermath of the war of Troy, the tragedy follows the fates of Hecuba, Andromache, Cassandra, and Helen (the Helen). After the war, the women are taken prisoners, lament their multiple losses and find themselves at the mercy of the enemy.
Besieged for ten years by the fierce armies of Greece, the legendary city of Troy has fallen in a single night, the victim of clever Odysseus and his wooden horse.
We get a brutal, crude representation of the consequences of war, and the reaction of wives, mothers, and daughters to such brutality.
The play begins with the women waking up the morning after Troy's defeat.
Morning finds Queen Hecuba and the royal women of Troy—having witnessed the slaughter of their husbands and sons—held captive by triumphant Greek soldiers.
In the ruins of their burning city, still mourning, they await enslavement and exile.
The imperious queen Hecuba is now the queen of a ruined city and will be sent to serve the wife of her most hated enemy, Odysseus. Her prophetic daughter, Cassandra will be taken as a prize by King Agamemnon. Her widowed daughter-in-law, the noble Andromache, who will wed Achilles’ (her husband Hector’s killer) son, hopes to whisper the legacy of Troy to her young son when they are captive in Greece. All the women blame Helen, the paramour of Hecuba’s cursed son Paris, for their downfall.
Trojan Women serves as a timeless meditation on suffering and survival and examines the choices that separate death and life, despair and hope, and past and future.
Masks made by the cast will be worn by the Chorus of Trojan women as they were in Ancient times.
Hellenic Art Theatre led by Artistic Director Stavros Economidis has played an active role in the Greek community, encouraging and nurturing second and third generation Greek Australians with their rich Greek culture. The quaint ‘hut’ at Addison Road Centre has been home to HAT for over 30 years. The ‘GREEK Theatre’ has recently become popular with local theatre lovers as it has been used as a venue for various other community theatre groups and youth drama workshops and holiday camps.
When: 15 March – 7 April
Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 4pm
Where: The GREEK Theatre
Building 36 Addison Road Centre
142 Addison Rd, Marrickville
Tickets: $30 adults. $25 Concession.
Bookings & Info: www.hellenicarttheatre.com.au
Call: 0413 989 007
